The subcommittee heard from Yvette Roubideaux, the director of the Indian Health Service, and tribal leaders about the need to reauthorize the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. Congress has been unable to extend key programs for the past nine years, mainly due to opposition from the Bush administration.

"The [Health and Human Services] Department strongly supports reauthorization of the IHCIA and supports the effort to ensure that the IHS is able to meet the health care needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives and takes into account increased tribal administration of Indian health programs," Roubideaux said in her statement.

Rep. Frank Pallone (D-New Jersey), the chairman of the subcommittee, said he wants to include IHCIA provisions in the broader U.S. health care reform package that is being debated in the House and the Senate, The Oklahoman reported.